Top News:
Jesse Yomtov / Tennessean.com:
Blue Jays closer Ken Giles ‘felt trapped’ during time with Astros — Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles isn't backing down from comments he made about his time with the Houston Astros. — The World Series champions traded Giles to the Blue Jays on July 30, ending his rocky tenure in Houston.
Discussion:
The Commercial Appeal, Houston Chronicle and MLB Baseball News …
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ESPN:
Roberto Osuna receives chilly reception in return to Toronto — Houston Astros closer Roberto Osuna heard a chorus of boos Monday while making his first appearance in Toronto since being arrested on an assault charge in May. — EDITOR'S PICKS — Osuna earned his 19th save in 20 opportunities …
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
‘Some as equal, but never any better’: John Gibbons has left his mark in Toronto — Blue Jays president emeritus Paul Beeston was approached in the press box dining room at the Rogers Centre last week and asked about John Gibbons, the club's soon-to-be former manager.
ESPN:
Former Astros closer Ken Giles criticizes culture in Houston, draws response from A.J. Hinch
Former Astros closer Ken Giles criticizes culture in Houston, draws response from A.J. Hinch
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: 10 questions for the Cubs to ponder as they close in on the postseason — Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward discusses the NL Central race and how the team matches up against the Pirates' pitching. (Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs offense hoping to break through against Pirates' Chris Archer — Chicago Tribune — The future is now for the Cubs, who will try to move closer to clinching their third consecutive National League Central title Tuesday night at Wrigley Field. — But they will have to do so against …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
If Addison Russell returns, Joe Maddon says it won't distract Cubs — CHICAGO — Manager Joe Maddon said it would not be a distraction if shortstop Addison Russell plays again for the Chicago Cubs. — EDITOR'S PICKS — Maddon has “no idea” if Russell will and knows “nothing about the process ... playing itself out.”
Associated Press:
David Wright now eligible to play for Mets — NEW YORK — David Wright has been reinstated from the disabled list and added to the New York Mets' active roster for the first time since June 3, 2016. — After a long road back from a string of injuries, the 35-year-old team captain …
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ESPN:
Wright to be available for Mets vs. Braves
Wright to be available for Mets vs. Braves
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Amazin' Avenue and Talking Chop
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
NY Mets traded Matt Harvey, turned in a wrong lineup and will send off David Wright
NY Mets traded Matt Harvey, turned in a wrong lineup and will send off David Wright
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Gulf News:
Athletics clinch play-off berth — Rays' loss to Yankees hands Oakland spot — Seattle: The Oakland Athletics clinched their first play-off berth in four years on Monday night, earning at least an American League wild card when the Tampa Bay Rays lost to the New York Yankees.
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Brett Gardner has one more Yankees moment, and possibly one more October run left
Brett Gardner has one more Yankees moment, and possibly one more October run left
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wong returns to Cards' lineup against old foe Gonzalez — After missing three games because of tension in both hamstrings, notably the left leg, Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong has returned to the lineup for Tuesday's matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers and a longtime foe, lefthander Gio Gonzalez.
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Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
James Shields aims for 200 innings with start against Indians — Chicago Tribune — Seven major-league pitchers have notched 200 innings this season and James Shields needs to go 1 1/3 innings against the Indians Tuesday to reach that mark. — “I think it's pretty special,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said.
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Travis Sawchik / FiveThirtyEight:
Who Needs Bryce Harper When You Have Aaron Hicks? — It once seemed inevitable that the New York Yankees would sign Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper when he became a free agent at the end of this season. Though Harper has been injured and inconsistent since his 2015 MVP year …
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Bryce Harper says he wants to remain a Nat. ‘But am I in those plans? I have no idea.’
Bryce Harper says he wants to remain a Nat. ‘But am I in those plans? I have no idea.’
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves postseason roster reliant on opponent matchups — The Braves have confidence in who will comprise their postseason roster, though there's still opportunity for some to make the 25-man set. Part of that will be determined by whom the Braves play. — Lefty Max Fried is among those competing for a spot.
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Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Midseason moves may have impacted Phillies chemistry | Extra Innings — Imagine if someone told you, after the Phillies completed a four-game sweep of the Marlins on Aug. 5 and improved to 63-48, that they would have a .500 record only seven weeks later. As Richie Ashburn undoubtedly would've said, “Hard to believe, Harry.”
Discussion:
The Good Phight
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Bob Ford / Philly.com:
The Phillies were progressive, but did they progress?
The Phillies were progressive, but did they progress?
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Jesse Chavez ready to resharpen pitches — Chicago Tribune — After being worked like a mule for six weeks, Cubs reliever Jesse Chavez admitted his sharpness was challenged after pitching only once during a 10-day span. — “It just felt like the first outing of spring training …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Shohei Ohtani To Undergo Tommy John Surgery — Angels starter and DH Shohei Ohtani will undergo Tommy John surgery next week, the club announced to reporters including Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group (via Twitter). While the outcome was expected, it's nevertheless significant …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, baseballmusings.com, MLB Daily Dish and Halos Heaven
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Yankees rookies Andujar, Torres braced for postseason pressure — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — On the late April morning he was called up from Triple-A, set to make his major league debut, Gleyber Torres was brought into a private conversation with New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius.
ESPN:
Rockies going full throttle vs. Phillies to bolster playoff hopes — DENVER — As a result of being forced to alter their rotation, the Colorado Rockies will start Chad Bettis on Tuesday in what will become a bullpen game against the Philadelphia Phillies. — In the opener of a four-game …
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — If there were good news for the Diamondbacks on Monday …
Last Slide — If there were good news for the Diamondbacks on Monday …
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins series — Spencer Turnbull #56 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the game on September 25, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hannah Foslien, Getty Images
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves' Dansby Swanson exits early against Mets — Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson left Tuesday's game in New York with left hand soreness, the Braves announced. — Swanson lined out to center in his at-bat and was replaced defensively by Charlie Culberson in the bottom of the inning.